~*~CARPE DIEM~*~

Today, my father is celebrating his 62^nd birthday… wow, that’s 10 years more than twice my age!

I call him “Papa”. He was already 36 years old when I was born… talk about huge age gap! He’s not the cool, sweetie, hands-on type of father. In fact, I will remember him most for being serious and strict with his children… he disciplined us with an iron hand… and a “palo” is a common punishment. He’s a soldier who served with the Philippine Air Force for 36 years until his retirement in 2003 … that explains his tough nature. I’m not really that close to my father… I’m closer to my mother because she’s the one I see often. My father wakes up early — goes to work at 8am — comes home at 12 noon to have lunch and a short nap — goes back to the office at 1pm — and then goes home at 5pm… that’s his typical day… and that also explains why we didn’t bonded with him that often. He doesn’t enjoy going to malls on Sundays (unless he really had to buy something)… because we all want to tag along… hey, we’re 2 adults and 4 kids… I remember him saying, “ni hindi tayo kasya sa taxi!” He always read an Inquirer or a Manila Bulletin every Sunday… from cover to cover… and discusses with us, the topics that interests him… even those with grammatical error or poorly written texts! Yeah, I know… that’s also boring for me! 🙂

ME vs. PAPA: 

1. A lot of people said I resemble my Papa. Oh, really?! Come on?! Do I look lesbian or does he look gay?! 🙂 hahahaha!
2. He has the best jokes… at least for him. Go ask him to tell you one and you’ll believe me… 🙂 hahahaha! Sometimes I can’t relate with his type of humor… ang corny kasi. On the other hand, I’m the type who can’t deliver jokes well that’s why I’d rather not do it.
3. He drinks coffee like its water. A day is never complete without a cup or two of coffee. My Aunt once told me that when he was just a kid, he used to pour his cup of coffee over a plate of rice and that’s already a meal for him… eeeewwww… we’re exact opposite on this one since I don’t like coffee that much. I only enjoyed drinking coffee when I started working… and that’s only because I was in the night shift and I have to keep myself awake.
4. He’s a tough man who enjoys doing the laundry… and he does it really good! This is a particular house chore he accomplishes regularly… until now. Sure, I do know how to wash my clothes and I can if I want to, but I’m not fond of doing it. I don’t like my hands being soaked in water for too long. Please, just ask me to clean the house instead or fix anything.
5. He’s not techie. Good thing he knows how to use the personal computer but the last time he used one for a large amount of time was before he retired. You know very well how much it had improved by now… even internet connection was so slow then. He needs a refresher if ever he decides to use one again.  Don’t tell him to use an Ipod, a PSP, or an X-Box… he doesn’t know what it’s for. He doesn’t own a cellphone because he doesn’t know how to send a text message… we tried to teach him once but it seems he’s not interested. I’m just glad that he knows, at least, how to answer a call.
6. He loves the TV and I love the radio… ‘nuff said.
7. He can spend hours in the sports channel… I never enjoyed it.
8. I love to travel… he thinks it’s a waste of money.
9. He says my baked goodies taste good but he prefers to buy na lang daw sa goldilocks… Pa, gusto mo ba talaga o hindi?!
10. He’s makwento… I’m makwento. I think this is the only thing we’re in common.

We’re always into arguments. I consider him “makulit” and he says, I’m “maldita”. I used to hate him for all the “palo” and “hampas” I got from him… but that was before… I can only laugh about it right now. There were times I used to think I already know a lot of things but that’s nothing compared to what my father have gained in his 62 years on earth! Honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for him. Whatever he has done to me, it made me the person that I am today.

Papa, thank you for everything… for all the things you have taught me and for being a good provider to your family. I know I’m not saying this often because I don’t know if you will like it (kasi hindi naman talaga ako malambing sa’yo)… or maybe, I just don’t know how to say it… but I’m really thankful and blessed that you’re my father. I LOVE YOU, PAPA!

 “He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” 

~ Clarence Budington Kelland